Bear with me folks, for I'm on my own this week. Barb is taking a much-deserved week off.

By the time the paper is at the newsstands, local residents have completed last minute touches to their fair entries. Many of which were due by Tuesday, Aug. 19, in order to give non-livestock judges time they need to determine each entry's level of expertise. Remember, the county fair opens on Thursday, Aug. 21, and goes through Aug. 24. Come to the fair and see if your neighbor's zucchini was bigger and better or perhaps her apple pie won the judges approval over yours! (You know some judges just don't have good taste!) All in all, come out and support your 4-H and FFA members, as well as enjoying a rip-roaring rodeo.

The Lion's club sponsored a Spaghetti Feed as a fundraiser for the Abrams/McLeod family who lost their home and all their belongings to a fire last week. The dinner was reported to be a success, but more donations would still be greatly appreciated. For additional information or to make clothing, toys (for four-year old boy), furniture or other donations contact Lyle Fire Chief Peter Lovejoy at 365-2500.

Sunday, Aug. 17, found the Country Cafe filled with friends and family of David Howard who was the guest of honor at his surprise 70th birthday party. The party grew in number to the point that there was a standing-room-only crowd in the cafe. Needless to say Dave has quite a few friends who wished him many more birthdays to come.

Lyle Community Council will highlight two speakers at this month's meeting: Marc Tomsbury, executive director of the Port of Klickitat, will have updates on, and future plans of, the port; Jacob Anderson, member of the Farmland Preservation Task Force, will present issues of its Farm Land Preservation Zone, explaining zoning that would allow farmers the ability to generate income that supports the farm, without selling productive land.

If you have pros or cons on the subject plan on attending with your questions and concerns. As usual the council meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Lyle Lion's Club.

Thanks go to those of you who have taken the time to answer and return the survey that was in the last issue of our local newsletter "To the Point." Those of you that haven't and still wish to have your voice heard, please submit your survey at the Lyle Merc, or to any council member. Your submissions are being tallied and the results will be made public.

California gave women the right to vote in 1911. It succeeded by an average of one vote per precinct. (and it was about time now wasn't it girls!)